Saturday, April 27, 2013

This mentored position will empower the candidate to analyze complex
conditional genetic mouse models of pediatric cancers for the purpose of
developing novel molecular therapies. The primary goal for this fellowship is
to understand the role of growth factors & kinases in the progression of
the childhood muscle cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. Employing molecular biology,
biochemistry and multiscale imaging (whole animal to confocal microscopy), the
candidate will have the opportunity to identify critical factors in tumor
maintenance and tumor progression from which new therapies can be
developed. Rapid translation to the
clinic is the underlying goal.
Candidates with experience in developmental biology or muscle biology
are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants will be
able to find the position by entering IRC39103 into the search
field on www.ohsujobs.com. For question, you can contact Charles via email, keller (at) ohsu.edu. [ photo credit, Mat Geltzeiler ]

We are grateful to Michel Aguet and Ivan Stamenkovic for the opportunity to present Ken and Jinu's recent studies at the Lausanne National Center of Competence Research (NCCR) in Molecular Oncology Symposium. This symposium addressed drug development in pharma as well as academics.

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a community resource for families

You Can Participate in our Novel Therapeutics Studies !

One would like to think that tangibly better treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and other childhood cancers can be found in a matter of years, instead of tens of years. Finding new treatments starts with research, perhaps even a new research approach to identifying effective new treatments. The Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institutefocuses on finding molecules in childhood cancers that can be directly turned off or on by drugs so that the tumor stops growing. Behind our novel approach is the use of genetically-engineered mice. Our Pediatric Preclinical Testing Initiative uses mice modified from before birth so that at a certain age, and in a certain tissue, the same mutations found in a child’s cancer are activated in the mouse. These special mouse models of childhood cancer can be used to test a treatment to see whether the tumor growth and spread (metastasis) can be reversed. The specific aspect of these mice having normal immune systems is a real plus, too, because white blood cells play an important role in how tumors evolve and respond to therapy.

Our program is designed around community participation. Through the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, you can contribute directly to this grass-roots initiative. Donations through small gifts or grants will assist in studying compounds that may be effective in treating such childhood cancers as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, or medulloblastoma (the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma model was featured by Dr. Keller's long time collaborator and former mentor, 2007 Nobel laureate Mario Capecchi, in his Nobel Prize lecture {see 16 minutes onward}.)

For additional information regarding supporting this program please contact Charles Keller at charles@cc-tdi.org. Results obtained through these studies will be shared with the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, as well as the Children’s Oncology Group, which designs clinical trials for childhood cancer.